Lansing Sex Offender Charged With Multiple Counts for Preying on Children

30-year-old Timothy Bywater has been charged with multiple counts in connection with sexual preying on children according to news reports. Bywater, a registered sex offender who spent 10 years in prison after being convicted on charges of criminal sexual conduct, was arraigned in 54A District Court in Lansing on Thursday, October 4th. He has been a registered sex offender since 2000 when he was convicted on CSC charges at the age of 17.

Bywater faces multiple charges in three incidents involving children this year; the charges include indecent exposure, second-degree criminal sexual conduct, accosting children for immoral purposes, assault with intent to commit sexual penetration and one count on being a “sexually delinquent person” when the violations occurred, an offense which is punishable by up to life in prison if convicted.

News reports claim that in March of this year, Bywater exposed himself and attempted to sexually assault a boy after luring the 5-year-old into a Lansing church bathroom. Bywater got away after the alleged victim’s father interrupted the assault. Almost two months later, Bywater attempted to sexually assault a girl after luring her into a garage on East Kalamazoo Street according to charges recently filed in 54A District Court.

In July of this year, Bywater allegedly exposed himself to two young girls after luring them into the stairwell at the Lansing library. Court records indicate that he also touched one of the girls.

Bywater is currently being held on a $500,000 bond; a preliminary hearing is set for October 18th to determine if the evidence is sufficient for trial. He has been in custody since July 18th when he was arraigned following the library incident. Lansing police Detective Elizabeth Reust said that the library incident assisted police in solving the other two cases, and that surveillance video was key.

Michigan criminal sexual assault lawyers know that these types of charges are extremely serious; if convicted, the accused faces substantial time behind bars, perhaps even life imprisonment. Having to register as a sex offender also impacts your life in a very negative way, affecting where you are permitted to live, your reputation, and the ability to secure employment.

If you or a loved one have been arrested for any sex offense, contact a talented and aggressive Michigan sex crime attorney immediately.